It has taken less than an hour to dismantle my life.

P came home and told me that he was moving in with his mum and dad because he said that he can longer cope. He is ill and he said that his mum is going to help him, when I asked why I can't help him he said that I work and his mum is there all the time.

We had a lot of problems over summer but I thought that we were back on track. Obviously not.

He has taken the dogs with him, and most of his stuff.

I at the moment feel numb. Not sure what to do. Thankfully no dc's involved.

Its a lot of problems, both mental and physical. And I know what he is doing does make sense. But I still feel numb, he said that it would be until he is better and we will still see each other and the dogs. I think I just need to rationalise this in my head.

Could this be a positive thing? I know it doesn't seem that way but if he is genuinely ill and does really need help then it seems like a good thing that he's willing to take control and do something about it. Or is he just doing it to punish you in some way?

That's incredibly tough for you but I think you have to look at it as being the best thing in a bad circumstance. Rather than sitting around wallowing your DP has decided what is most likely to help him get better and done it. With any luck in time he will recover and you can move back in together and start afresh. Do you think that'll happen?

Possibly yes it could happen, we have been together for nearly four years and from the moment I met him, I knew he was right for me.

I know deep down in my heart he is doing the right thing, I knew about his medical problems when I met him. I think the hardest thing for me is that I know there is nothing apart from being here, that I can do to help him.

I know he is doing the right thing. I need to just put it into perspective. I know I probably sound selfish but I just wish he was OK, and I wish I could help him. It's also weird not having the doggies here and a 50 kg lab sat on me like a lapdog. They will help him get better I know.

It's hard for a lover to become a carer and it can be soul destroying for the person needing the care. I'm willing to stereotype that it could be particularly difficult for a man who's of the mindset that he should be the alpha male protector and provider.

Looking for a silver lining, having his mum look after his medical needs might allow you both to get back into the swing of a romantic relationship. Has he mentioned any plans to spend weekends or overnight with you when he feels well enough?

Iamsparklyknickers I think you have just hit the nail on the head. He has always wanted to be my protector and thinking about it he does not feel comfortable me looking after him even though I have told him time and time again that I do not mind.

Hopefully it will be a good thing. He can better then we can get better.

Going against the grain here, I think what he has done is unfair and cruel. If he wanted to break up then he has that right. He doesn't though, he wants you to live on his terms. He should have discussed the options not just fuck off and take your pets.

I say this as someone who had a very sick first husband who died when we were young. I cared for him, I also worked. We had to make tough choices at times but we made them together right till the end.

You can't live your life when it is dictated in this way, so sorry you are going through this.

You have been together 4 years, not 5 minutes. He has made a unilateral decision about your relationship & is expecting you to just fall in with it. No matter how sick he is - he owed it to you to discuss the options with you and to at least try make a joint decision about what was best and if you couldn't, then to say 'I can't live with that, I need to do my own thing'.

Secondly, unless there are extenuating circumstances, I couldn't be in a relationship with someone who thought I couldn't help him in this situation. A relationship, to me, is about weathering all things that happen - not just the 'good' times. I would feel I wasn't good enough/wasn't enough for him and that wouldn't do us any good.

It might be best for him to be at his parents if they are home 24/7 and if he needs that kind of care and if it's a decision you come to together.

ok. Some questions.Could you have looked after him adequately do you think?Did he discuss the situation with you at all?Did he give you any warning that he was leaving?Do you mind that he took the dogs, and did he even ask?Do you think that he thinks you are still on track?How far away as he gone.Can you still see him regularly and often?

Being ill is not a right of passage to do as you please and treat those around you badly. Its just not.

The point isn't whether you could have given him the care his Mum can, the point is he didn't discuss it with you. He didn't show you any thought or consideration at all. You should have made a joint decision about what needed to be done and how.